Cynthia Lui MP
Member for Cook
Media Release
THE Palaszczuk Labor Government in the past three has proven to be the Mareeba Hospital’s best friend.
The Member for Cook, Cynthia Lui, officially opened the new CT scanner at Mareeba Hospital today.
“I’ve been fighting hard to secure upgrades to Mareeba Hospital to ensure the community has access to world class healthcare right here,” she said.
“Today it stands as a modern state-of-the-art regional hospital with the Palaszczuk Government’s million-dollar investments in refurbishments and equipment providing the important health services this growing community needs.
“The upgrades reduce the need for people to travel to Atherton and Cairns and patients have access to the world class healthcare they deserve.”
Ms Lui inspected the new-look facilities and equipment and spoke to staff about the new assets.
“This new $5 million computer tomography (CT) scanner will ensure patients can get the care they need locally rather than have to travel,” she said.
“This was a key priority of mine at the last election and I’m proud to say it’s on track.”
The CT scanner uses X-ray technology to help detect diseases and injuries and can help save lives in cases of emergency. It produces higher quality images and allow scans to be done faster, with reduced doses of radiation.
"This addition has followed hard on the heels of Mareeba Hospital's $3.8 million endoscopy service which opened at the end of last year,” Ms Lui said.
“The endoscopy service allows the hospital to diagnose gastrointestinal tract diseases such as cancers and abnormalities of the digestive tract and to get on top of them quickly.
“This refurbishment included new ultrasound and X-ray equipment, a recovery area and a new administration area.”
The upgraded operating theatre provides general surgery, dental surgery, and birthing services.
The new $2 million ambulance centre that opened in Mareeba on Tuesday complements this quantum leap in local health services.
As part of the Palaszczuk Government’s COVID-19 response earlier this year, a fever clinic was opened at the hospital to carry out testing and to manage patients in the event of an outbreak in Mareeba.
In 2018, three new staff accommodation houses, costing $1.5 million, had been opened at the Mareeba Hospital. This accommodation aims to help attract and keep staff at Mareeba Hospital.
“I am proud at what I have been able to achieve in this space for the local community and I look forward to working just as hard for the Mareeba community for the next three years if re-elected on October 31.”
ENDS
Media Contact – Cook Electorate Office – 4223 1100
